Rivers purge and realign themselves in many subtle ways. Ice out and spring rains often create new habitat as well as destroy old ones. Training your eye to "read water" comes with experience as well as common sense. Fish seek optimum water flows as well as cover. In the spring months the fish on the New Haven River seek deep pockets and pools for sanctuary. They are most often located on the tail end of the deep pools rather in the swift moving "pocket waters". Explore the New Haven River; some of the best fishing is located on its outermost stretches. Bring your camera and you may experience some of nature's timorous creatures.

On opening day the water temperatures on the New Haven will range from 38-42 degrees. The ideal water temperatures for trout fishing on The New Haven River are between 55-65 degrees. Whatever technique you choose to fish with, it is most important that the angler present the "bait" on or near the bottom of the streambed. The fish are also quite sluggish and the "bait" must be presented in a slow and deliberate fashion. Remember the presentation must simulate the "natural" and create an impression of realism. The closer you come to achieving this objective the greater the success ratio. Patience and persistence are the most redeeming qualities to have opening day.

Angling is at best an inexact science but some techniques are proven to be better than others. A solid tip, fish near the confluence of small feeder streams that discharge into the New Haven River. Even fish up these tributaries, they are sleepers. These tributaries often serve as sanctuaries from spring run offs as well as productive feeding lanes for some nice fish. Some of this authors most productive fishing during opening day occurs in the mid-afternoon! The temperature of the water may be 1 or 2 degrees higher. On opening day this temperature differential is indeed very significant. The temperature of the water is much more important than rising at dawn. The "garden hackle" is the most obvious choice of most anglers during opening day. It is this author's opinion that the most often used is not necessarily the best choice. In the early part of the season, the trout's' diet consist mainly of small baitfish, crustaceans and macro- invertebrates. Real or imitative bait fish work exceptionally well. Some of the artificial imitations would be, mepps spinners #1 or #2, phoebes, panther martin, Al's gold fish and countdown rapalas cd-5-7. Fly fishing enthusiasts would use maribou and bucktail streamers as well Caddis larva, hare's ear and various stone fly imitations. Remember imitation, presentation and determination are key ingredients to a successful opening day. Good luck with the long casts and tight lines!

Food for thought while you are on the beautiful New Haven River catching those lunkers. A question posed by Dr. James A. Bohnsack a biologists with the National Marine Fisheries Service, "What would happen to the human race if tall people were hunted down and killed en masse while short people lived and reproduced freely." "Eventually I could play in the NBA." Gee at 5'10" I could play in the NBA! Most states only provide minimum size limits to catching trout. Suppose there were window or slot limits. Catch and keep fish up to certain lengths and release the prime genetically superior breeding trout, Something to consider for future management proposals. So next time you are fishing those pools think also of the genetic pools. Responsibility to the enhancement of the resource as well as its longevity and sustainable future should be in every anglers' creel.